Amphibious boat



Nov. 12, 1968 V. A. GRAHAM Filed Feb. 18, 1966 AMPHIBIOUS BOAT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 24 l 4 22 26 l/mcent A. Graham 34 36 INVENTOR. 42 62 E= :=-I-

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Nov. 12, 1968 v. A. GRAHAM 3,410,244

AMPHIBIOUS BOAT Filed Feb. 18, 1966 5 Sheets-sheet 2 Vincent A Graham IN VE N TOR.

Nov. 12, 1968 v. A. GRAHAM AMPHIBIOUS BOAT 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed Feb. 18, 1966 Vincent A. Graham I N VEN TOR.

United States Patent 3,410,244 AMPHIBIOUS BOAT Vincent A. Graham, Rte. 1, Salem, S. Dak. 57058 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 512,186, Dec. 7, 1965. This application Feb. 18, 1966, Ser. No. 534,275

6 Claims. (Cl. 115-23) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An amphibious boat including a pair of spaced floats generally in the form of pontoons interconnected detachably by a platform having a transverse axle supported therefrom and provided with a wheel and paddle assembly at each end thereof for propelling the boat when it is floating in water and when it is traversing land surfaces. A combined land steering wheel and rudder is supported from the platform and controlled from an operators seat for controlling the direction of movement of the boat when in water and also when traversing land surfaces.

This is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 512,186 for Paddle Boat, filed Dec. 7, 1965, now abandoned.

The present invention generally relates to a boat-type vehicle and more specifically to an amphibious paddle boat.

An object of the present invention is to provide a paddle boat in which the paddle structure is incorporated into supporting wheels so that the paddle boat may be propelled through the water and then also propelled over land surfaces thereby providing an amphibious vehicle,

Another object of the present invention is to provide an amphibious paddle boat having paddle and wheel assemblies at each side thereof which may be powered in any suitable manner such as by the use of offset cranks that may be manually operated or a suitable engine for driving the paddle and wheel assemblies so that the amphibious boat may be used both on water or land.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an amphibious boat having a propulsion wheel at each side thereof and a forwardly and centrally located steerable wheel which also serves as the rudder for controlling the direction of the boat when traveling in the water and When traveling overland.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a boat structure which may include a hull of any suitable type with a transverse shaft or axle journaled on the hull and provided with a paddle wheel or propulsion wheel assembly at each end thereof with the transverse axle incorporating structural features which enable rotation of the axle or shaft. In the amphibious form of the boat of the present invention, a steerable wheel is provided adjacent the front of the boat together with a control mechanism attached thereto for controlling the angular orientation of the front wheel.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one form of the paddle boat of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially along section line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along section line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a plan sectional view taken along section line 4--4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view illustrating a modified form of driving connection between the transverse drive shaft and the paddle wheel assembly;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 5 but illustrating a power mechanism for driving the paddle wheels;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of another type of drive mechanism for the paddle assemblies;

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the amphibious boat illustrating the relationship of the propulsion wheel assemblies at each side of the boat and the combined steerable wheel and rudder at the front of the boat;

FIGURE 9 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken substantially along section line 9-9 of FIGURE 8; and

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 1010 of FIG- URE 8.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the paddle boat which includes a pair of parallel hulls which are buoyant and substantially circular in crosssectional configuration. The hulls 12 and 14 are interconnected by a suitable deck or platform 16.

Extending across the undersurface of the platform 16 is a pair of angle iron members 20 each having a horizontal flange 22 and a vertical flange 24 with suitable fasteners 26 attaching the members 20 to the platform 16. Each end of each vertical flange 24 is provided with a downwardly opening notch 28 which receives and is welded to a portion of a longitudinally extending angle iron member or bracket 30 which also has a horizontal flange and a vertical flange with fasteners 36 securing the members 30 to the underside of the platform. An outer end portion of each vertical flange 34 has an extension received in and welded as at 38 to a corresponding notch 28 thereby providing a rigid platform'structure.

For securing the hulls 12 and 14 to the platform 16, there is provided a plurality of bands 40 encircling the hulls 12 and 14 and each band has an upwardly extending channel-shaped member 42 secured thereto. Each channelshaped member 42 includes vertical flanges 44 and 46 and a horizontal bight portion 48 attached to the band 40 in any suitable manner. A U-shaped latch member 50 including a pair of parallel legs 52 interconnected by a bight portion 54 is slidably received in aligned bores 56 in the flanges 44 and 46 so that the latch 50 may slide laterally in relation to the channel-shaped member 42. A tension spring 58 interconnects the bight 54 of the latch 50 and the flange 44 of the channel-shaped member 42 to bias the bight portion 54 towards the flange 44. The vertical flanges 34 of the angle ir-on members 30 also have bores 60 through which the legs 52 of the latch are adapted to extend so that when the bores 56 and 60 are aligned, the latch 50 may be extended therethrough thereby fixedly but detachably securing the hulles 12 and 14 to the platform.

For further rigidifying the platform and securing the hulls 12 and 14 thereto, at least certain of the bands 40 are provided with an upstanding rod or shank 62 rigidly fixed thereto and provided with an abutment 641 spaced below the upper end thereof. The upper end of each rod 62 is threaded as at 66 and has a threaded nut 68 thereon which is provided with a laterally extending handle for manipulation thereof. The upper end of the rod 62 passes through an opening 70 in the platform 16 and the platform 16 engages the abutment 64 and is rigidly fixed thereto by the nut 66 to further rigidly interconnect the platform and hulls 12 and 14.

Mounted on the platform adjacent the side edges thereof is a pair of cylindrical sleeves or journals 74 and 76 which are secured on the platform in any suitable manner and journal a transversely extending axle or shaft generally designated by reference numeral 80.

The axle 80 includes a pair of end sections 82 having a paddle wheel rigid with the outer end thereof with the paddle wheel being designated by numeral 84. The axle includes a central section 86 with remote ends thereof aligned with and joined to the end sections 82 by a pair of connecting sleeves 90 which telescope over the inner ends of the respective end sections 82 and the outer ends of the center section 86 of the axle 80. The sleeves 90 are detachably connected to the axle sections 82 and 88 by suitable fasteners 92 which may be conventional cotter pins, bolts, spring pins or any suitable detachable connection to enable removal of and assembly of the component parts.

Each end section 82 of the axle 80 includes an abutment 96 rigid therewith which engages one end of the bracket 74 and a removable spring clip, cotter pin or the like 98 is engaged with each end section 82 engaging the other end of the bracket 74 and corresponding structures are employed in relation to the bracket 76 to prevent lateral shifting of the axle 80.

The center section 86 of the axle 80 includes a pair of offset cranks 100 which serve as means for rotating the axle 80 by exerting forces on the cranks 100 in a wellknown manner by an operator positioned on the seat 102 with his feet engaging the cranks 100 so that the cranks may be operated in a pedaling manner for rotation of the paddle wheels 84. As illustrated, the seat 102 may include a suitable base 104 and a seat and backrest assembly 106 with the seat being of conventional construction and either stationary or swivelled as desired.

A rudder assembly 108 is provided through the platform 16 forwardly of the seat 102 and includes a vertical shaft 110 having a rudder blade 112 rigid with the lower end thereof. An abutment 114 on the shaft 110 engages the undersurface of the platform 16 and the shaft extends up through a bore 116 in the platform 16 and is connected to the lower end portion 118 of a crank handle 120 which is removably telescoped thereover and secured thereto by means of a spring-type cotter pin 122 or any other suitable type of fastener. A thrust bearing member 124 is attached to the upper surface of the platform 16 and serves to journal the rudder shaft 110 so that the handgrip 126 may be grasped by a person occupying the seat 102 and swing in an arcuate manner thus pivoting the rudder about an axis defined by the rudder shaft 110 for controlling the boat in an obvious manner.

The center of the platform includes a band 40' associated with a member 30' and secured thereto by a latch 50 which is substantially identical to the structure described more specifically in connection with FIGURE 3.

FIGURE illustrates an axle of a slightly modified construction designated by numeral 130 and which corresponds to the axle 80 except that it does not include the crank portions 100 but includes a pulley 132 thereon aligned with a pulley 134 journaled from a supporting structure 136 which is secured to the platform by fasteners 138. The drive pulley 134 has eccentric cranks 140 attached thereto and which may be driven by manipulating the hands in a cranking manner or may be also manipulated by the feet with the pulley 134 being larger than the pulley 132 thus providing a reduction in the ratio of the output speed to the input speed. As illustrated, the pulley 134 is connected to the pulley 132 by a belt 142 and it is pointed out that these members may be sprocket members and the flexible member may be a sprocket chain if this type of drive is desired.

FIGURE 6 illustrates another arrangement for driving the axle 130 in which the drive pulley 144 is connected to the output shaft 146 of a small internal combustion engine 148 or any other suitable source of rotational power.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a modified structure including a modified transverse axle 150 which may be the same as the axle except that the center section 86 does not in clude the cranks but rather is in the form of a straight shaft having spaced pulleys 152 mounted thereon.

Spaced from the axle and preferably disposed above the axle 150, there is provided a shaft 154 having the end portions journaled in brackets or journals 156 with an offset central portion 158 forming a crank and having a sleeve 160 thereon forming a rotatable handgrip whereby the shaft 154 may be rotated by operating the olfset crank 158 in a well-known manner. Rotation of the shaft 154 will cause rotation of the pulleys 162 thus driving the axle 150 through the belts 164.

The journal sleeves 156 are supported by a pair of upwardly converging standards 166 having a tubular lower end portion 168 secured to the platform by fasteners 170. An upper portion 172 slides into the lower portion 168 and is pivotally secured to the journal sleeve 156 by a pivot bolt or fastener 174. The upper portion 172 is retained in adjusted position in relation to the lower portion 168 by a suitable thumbscrew 176 or the like thus rigidly but adjustably supporting the journal sleeves 156 to retain the belts 164 taut and also support the shaft 154 for rotation. The shaft 154 also includes spring-type cotter pins 180 engaging the ends of the journal sleeves 156 for retaining the shaft 154 in position thereon and to prevent axial shifting.

The paddle wheel assemblies 84 each includes a plurality of radial paddles extending from a central hub with each paddle having a concave recess or the like in the side thereof which engages water during normal forward propulsion.

FIGURES 8-10 illustrate the details of an amphibious boat which can move in water as well as on land. The platform 16 is secured to the hulls 12 and 14 in the same manner disclosed in FIGURES l-7 and, identical reference numerals are employed in conjunction therewith.

Extending transversely of the platform 16 is an axle including a central section 192 having aligned end portions 194 and offset cranks 196. The axle assembly 190 also includes end sections 198 corresponding to the end sections 82 in FIGURE 3 which are connected to the ends of the central section 192 by a sleeve connector 200 and spring clip-type cotter pins 202 or any other suitable type of fasteners. The end sections 198 each have a rigid thrust washer 203 and are journaled by roller bearing assemblies 204 supported from the platform 16 by open-ended tubular brackets 206. A housing 205 extends across brackets 206 and has a suitable grease fitting 207 therein for lubricating the bearings. An upstanding guard or shield 208 is mounted on the platform 16 and also receives the end section 198 of the axle 190. Mounted on the outer end of each end section 198 is a supporting wheel and paddle wheel assembly generally designated by the numeral 210 and which includes a central hub 212, an annular wheel or rim 214 and a plurality of radial blade-like members 216 attached to the wheel spokes or forming the wheel spokes themselves. The blades or paddles 216 project laterally outwardly of the wheel to the outer side thereof so that when the boat is in the water, the paddles or blades 216 will propel the boat and when the boat reaches land surface, the wheels 214 will sup port the vehicle and enable it to be propelled inasmuch as the paddles 216 terminate inwardly of the periphery of the wheel 214.

For steering control of the amphibious boat, a steerable front wheel 218 is provided at the forward central portion of the platform 16. The wheel 218 is supported from a yoke 220 journaled in a fitting or adapter 222 attached to the platform 16. Forwardly extending from the yoke 220 is a rudder structure 224 which also forms a guard or shield for the wheel 218 in that it employs two plates extending forwardly from the side portions of the yoke 220 with the forward ends thereof being inwardly curved and joined as at 226.

Attached to the upper end of the yoke 220 is a laterally extending bar 228 having a flexible cable 230 attached to each end thereof with the cables 230 extending rearwardly and crossing and being terminally secured to a transverse bar 232 rigidly attached to the lower end of a vertically extending steering shaft 234 which extends upwardly through and is journaled in a suitable fitting 236 carried by the platform 16. The upper end of the shaft 234 is provided with a handle 238 by virtue of which the wheel 218 can be steerably controlled. A seat 240 is provided for an operator so that a person occupying the seat 240 may control the steerable wheel 218 by gripping the handle 238 and also propel the amphibious boat by contacting the cranks 196 with his feet.

As illustrated, the steering control cables and other mechanism is located under the platform to provide a load supporting surface on the upper surface of the platform and fishing gear boxes, tackle boxes or the like designated by numeral 242 may be mounted on the platform in any suitable manner.

It is pointed out that the steering mechanism employed on the amphibious boat may be employed also on the paddle boat illustrated in FIGURES 1-7 inasmuch as the front wheel on the paddle boat illustrated in FIGURES 1-7 would enable it to be easily handled by a single person in that it could be maneuvered easier with a front wheel. Actually, the wheels 214 with the paddles 216 thereon may be interchanged with the paddle wheel 84 illustrated in FIGURES 1-7.

Also, it is pointed out that while the drawings illustrate the axle and paddle wheel assemblies 84 and 210 on a pontoon type of boat, it is pointed out that the same structure may be attached to a small raft made of aluminum or plastic with air entrapped between upper and lower layers of material to provide buoyancy. Also, in each form of the invention, handles 244 of U-shaped configuration may be provided on the boat for use of the boat as a swimming raft or to assist in enabling persons to climb onto the platform. The particular construction of the control mechanism for the steerable wheel may be altered in that the operating mechanism could be orientated above the platform rather than below the platform and, if desired, the yoke 220 could be extended up through the platform and an elongated tiller or handle attached thereto to swivel the yoke about a vertical axis. As illustrated in FIG. 10, a pulley 197 may be provided on the straight center section 194 of the axle. In addition, the drive mechanism including the axle could be orientated below the platform or below the pontoons and may be manually propelled or propelled with a suitable motor or the like. Also, steering rods could be employed in lieu of the cables as illustrated. From a practical standpoint, the wheels 210 may have strap-like spokes approximately one inch wide with the paddles 216 being another three inches wide thus forming a four inch paddle for propelling the boat. By removing cotter pins either boat can be assembled or disassembled in approximately minutes thus facilitating storage and transport in a station wagon, car or the like. Further, the axles have interchangeable center sections by using the center sleeves and cotter pins to enable easy change of drive arrangements.

In all features, the specific structure of the manner of attaching the components to the platform may be varied as may the particular type of fastening pins and the like. It is also pointed out that the device may be incorporated into a conventional type boat hull by journaling the transverse axle on the top edge of the gunwales of such a con ventional hull. Various optional equipment may be provided such as sails to assist in propulsion of the boat either on land or water. The sails and suitable brackets there-for may be incorporated into the device as deemed appropriate for good sailing techniques.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A boat structure comprising, a buoyant member, a transversely extending axle supported from the buoyant member, propulsion assemblies supported from said axle, and means enabling rotational force to be applied to said propulsion assemblies for rotating the same, each propulsion assembly including radial paddles supported from said axle and projecting therefrom for propelling the boat structure when floating in water, control means including a steerable wheel supported from the buoyant member, and a shield for the wheel extending forwardly therefrom to serve as a rudder when floating in water, and means controlling the pivotal movement of the steerable wheel and shield, said propulsion assembly also including a ground-engaging supporting wheel with the radial paddles attached to said wheel and projecting laterally therefrom with the wheels propelling the boat structure when traversing land surfaces.

2. The boat structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the buoyant member is in the form of a platform and at least one pontoon extending thereunder, and means detachably connecting the platform to the pontoon to enable assembly and disassembly of the boat structure.

3. The boat structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said buoyant member is in the form of a platform having an occupants seat adjacent one end thereof, a pair of spaced parallel pontoons along the sides of the platform, said ground engaging supporting wheels having a periphery disposed below the pontoons.

4. The boat structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said axle is continuous across the platform and provided with offset portions in front of the occupants seat and defining said means to enable the axle to be rotated for propelling the propulsion assembly.

5. The boat structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said steerable wheel and shield are supported from the platform between the pontoons in longitudinally spaced relation to the occupants seat, said control means being disposed adjacent the occupants seat for adjusting the position of the steerable wheel and shield for controlling the path of movement of the boat structure in water and over land, said shield being substantially V-shaped with the apex facing forwardly.

6. A boat structure comprising, a buoyant member, a transversely extending axle supported from the buoyant member, propulsion assemblies supported from said axle,

and means enabling rotational force to be applied to said propulsion assemblies for rotating the same, each propulsion assembly including radial paddles supported from said axle and projecting therefrom for propelling the boat structure when floating in water, said buoyant member including a substantially flat platform having a pair of pontoons secured thereto along each edge of the platform, each plontoon having a pair of upwardly facing channelshaped members connected thereto, said platform having depending lugs attached thereto, and removable pin means extending through the channel-shaped members 7 8 and lugs to detachably secure the pontoons to the plat- 92,808 7/1869 Farmer 11522 form, said platform including laterally spaced bearing 412,391 10/1889 Jorgensen 11526 supports for the axle, said axle including detachable con- 1,691,396 11/1928 Lindstrom 11522 necting means adjacent the outer ends thereof to enable 2,556,619 6/1951 Hearon 11526 disassembly of the axle for incorporating various drive 5 2,910,035 10/1959 Johnson 11526 structures operatively associated therewith. FOREIGN PATENTS References Cited 112,612 2/ 1941 Australia. UNITED STATES PATENTS 496,077 9/1963 Canada- 464,227 12/1891 Olsen 1152 1 ANDREW H. FARRELL, Primary Examiner. 

